Rochester Smoke Out

Ulster County Legislature Chairwoman Terry Bernardo finally found her stride as a soap box diva. It’s a free country; watch the video and form your own opinion. Leaving a comment won’t kill ya!

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

Len Bernardo’s $254,258 Dream Team post from June 19, 2012 provided some details on people hired by Terry Bernardo on taxpayers’ dime. Remember the skinny on Frank Reggero, Fawn Tantillo, and Lisa K. Mance?

1. Frank Reggero $50,000
Bernardo’s newly hired $50,000 per year Budget Analyst Frank Reggero appears as a current employee of the New York State Senate on at least three of the Senate’s biweekly payroll reports. On the other hand, Frank Reggero appears to be Terry Bernardo’s personal driver cum scribe.

2. Fawn Tantillo $51,093
Vice Chair of the Ulster County Independence Party, Fawn Tantillo – infamous for the Tantillo’s Law – was hired as Terry Bernardo’s confidential secretary.

3. Lisa K. Mance $45,915
Before she was arrested for DWI, Lisa K. Mance had been employed by the County Clerk’s office under the name of Lisa K. Fraser. A relative of Fawn Tantillo, she was re-hired as a county employee by Terry Bernardo. In a blatant manifestation of political cronyism, Lisa is attending political meetings as Bernardo’s note taker.

Yesterday afternoon all of the above were busy, busy, busy organizing the controversial birthday party cum fundraiser for Terry Bernardo – at the Accord Fire House.

The DOJ’s guidelines are clear: elected officials cannot command public employees to engage in political activity, and any request made by an elected official is considered a command. Public employees may not volunteer in any capacity in connection with a partisan candidate or partisan election, collect contributions or sell tickets to political fund raising functions or contribute anything of value to a party, committee, organization, agency, or person for political purposes.

The word “ethic” holds no meaning for Terry Bernardo (#4). The Chairwoman of the Ulster County Legislature is in the habit of asking public employees to fulfill her political needs.

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

It started with Christian music at Skate Time 209. Then came the ants, by mail. When credibility became scarce the media-hounds began to position themselves at the center of unfortunate events: storms, Wawarsing flood, graffiti under the bridge…

By wheeling and dealing, Len Bernardo planted his wife on the high chair of the Ulster County Legislature. Her first term was a miserable failure. Second term doesn’t look better, so there is no wonder they are now sucking on the latest life saver: New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013, commonly known as the NY SAFE Act.

What follows is a compilation of articles and comments, both printed and digital:

*** It’s called playing the hype in the political game. You discover an issue with enough passion behind it that a wave of unbridled support will show up without much prompting, rent a space at taxpayer expense large enough to attract enough people to create an event overwhelming any logical discussion and ride the wave of self-importance… Yup, right out of Stalin’s handbook. ***

Terry Bernardo on Facebook:


Len Bernardo ‏on Twitter:
“URGENT! If you live in the Hudson Valley – come out 2/19/13 to UPAC 7pm UC Leg to vote on resolution opposing the way #nysafeact was enacted.”

Len Bernardo on Facebook:
“URGENT! PLEASE ATTEND EVEN IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN ULSTER COUNTY! WE NEED TO SHOW UP IN NUMBERS!!!”

*** I am sure it helped get the place packed since it was opened up to the entire HUDSON VALLEY, not only to Ulster County! I am glad to see our Legislature Chairman’s husband is out there trying to stack the deck in his wife’s favor. It is comforting to know they are such ethical people. ***

Freeman – February 6, 2013
Ulster County Legislature panel backs opposition to state gun law

“I’ll put it in a woman’s terms,” she said. “You wouldn’t want to pass a law that makes it illegal just for cosmetic reasons. I can look one way when I come to work and I throw on a suit and some makeup and fix my hair and I look another way when I wake up in the morning but you wouldn’t want to pass a law saying that just because I looked that way in the morning that was problematic.”

*** “It’s better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt.” Well, Ms. Bernardo made her choice with the above quotation from the Freeman article. If that’s a representative example of her thought process and language usage, how did she get elected to anything? ***

Freeman – February 12, 2013
Ulster County Legislature Chairwoman Terry Bernardo launching re-election campaign

KINGSTON, N.Y. — Republican Terry Bernardo has launched her campaign for a third term as an Ulster County legislator with a birthday celebration fundraiser at the Accord Firehouse.

Bernardo, of Accord, who is currently the chairwoman of the Ulster County Legislature, will this year run with the public backing of gun rights advocates who are urging supporters to attend her annual birthday fundraiser and support her at the polls in November…

The Hudson Valley Sportsman’s website, which is organizing bus transportation to the Albany rally, is urging rally-goers to attend Bernardo’s fundraiser and in a post on the site it states: “Terry has been doing a tremendous job fighting for our 2nd amendment rights and we cannot afford to lose her support if she is displaced. So please make it a point to help support her in prepping for the upcoming 2013 elections.”

Bernardo’s husband, Len, who is also an Accord Fire Department commissioner, said that since he and Terry Bernardo will take part in the rally it made sense to hold the fundraiser at the firehouse, which is also one of three bus pick-up/drop-off spots for the rally.

*** So let me get this straight. Bernardo is spearheading a resolution, then holding a fundraiser with a guest list of the people who want the resolution passed? Is that ethical or even legal? ***

*** How is this legal? How can a publicly funded firehouse hold a political function? If I were a taxpayer in that town, I would be screaming! ***

*** Gee, what a coincidence! Have the party where they will be dropped off! I’m sure Len Bernardo couldn’t have had anything to do with the original choice of the Firehouse for the first rally either. Or the choice of drop-off. Why not their Roller Rink? It’s right down the road. ***

*** I hope the Bernardos are paying full value for the use of the facility and report it on the campaign required filing. This is not some community group wanting to use the firehouse (I know of situations of just that where Len tried hard to make them pay). This is a private affair no different than any other birthday party. I hope Len plans to watch carefully those who choose to imbibe on the free beer being offered before allowing them on the roads. ***

*** The only reason there will be a lot of people there is because Bernardo has been riling up the 2nd amendment folks for 3 weeks looking for support for her campaign. She is hosting a fundraiser with these people as her main targets for donations! ***

*** I honestly feel sorry for the people being taken advantage of by Bernardo. When she is done with her fundraisers, she will forget them like yesterday’s news. The worst part is, nothing will change, not a damn thing except you will have funded her campaign. ***

*** I hope this ethically and morally challenged fundraiser is the beginning of the end of the Bernardos in Ulster County! ***

Freeman – February 18, 2013
Ulster County Legislature considers resolution Tuesday night opposing state gun-control law

KINGSTON, N.Y. — Ulster County legislators will take up a measure Tuesday night that calls on the state Legislature to repeal portions of the New York SAFE Act that resolution sponsors say infringe upon people’s Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms…

The resolution opposing the SAFE Act is co-sponsored by the entire 12-member GOP caucus in the 23-member Legislature, virtually assuring its clear passage through the full Ulster County Legislature.

*** With all 12 Republican legislators co-sponsoring – and the 3-Parete safety net – the passage of the non-binding resolution was 100% guaranteed without the UPAC Circus. Terry Bernardo and her husband Len, are a joke and an outrage. They manipulate the system to their advantage and offer nothing in the way of productive work. ***

Freeman – February 21, 2013
Ulster County Legislature adopts resolution opposing NY gun-control law after raucous public speak-out at UPAC

KINGSTON, N.Y. — Passions ran high as more than 1,000 people packed the Ulster Performing Arts Center to speak out about a resolution, ultimately approved, putting the Ulster County Legislature on record opposing the state’s new stringent gun law known as the SAFE Act.

Lawmakers adopted the resolution, which calls for the state to repeal portions of Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act, in a 14-8 vote late Tuesday following more than three hours of public comment that, at times, was punctuated by raucous applause, heckling and boos.

*** Just wondering if you even knew Bernardo’s name before all of this? Do you have any idea what her opinion was before this? Do you know where she stands on any other issue? Has it ever occurred to you that you are being used? ***

Allow me to wrap this up with Carl Chipman – the voice of reason:

As much as I believe in and am sworn to uphold the Constitution including the 2nd Amendment, the events of last evening should not have occurred. The Ulster County Legislature had no business passing a resolution regarding the SAFE Act either pro or con. I felt that way when I spoke out against Draft Resolution #0108 asking for greater gun controls proposed by Legislators Gregorius and Donaldson during last months legislative session and it still feel that way when it comes to this resolution on the other side of the issue.

The Ulster County Legislature’s responsibility is to set county governmental policy and to provide governmental financial oversight as per the Ulster County Charter. Last night’s proceedings were a waste of time and taxpayers dollars and accomplished absolutely nothing. It’s ludicrous that our tax dollars were spent to rent the UPAC to provide enough space for the public interested in a “memorializing resolution”.

Happy Birthday, Terry!

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

I remember it like it was yesterday… Terry, you had me in stitches. Using the word legislator in your email address long before you got “elected” was also good for a laugh or two.

Date: Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 1:17 PM
From: Terry Bernardo legislatorterrybernardo@gmail.com
To: Gilbert deLeon GdeLeon@iitsoffice.net

Gil

Would my parents in Rockville, MD with Verizon internet have the same IP as me?
191.168.1.1

Terry

Yes, Terry. Your mom’s IP number in Maryland is identical with your IP number in New York. It’s in the jeans genes.

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

My previous post about Terry Bernardo screwing the taxpayers elicited an easy-to-diagnose anonymous comment which should be recommended reading for all town residents. I didn’t kill the comment for humanitarian reasons: the author tried for so long to let out some steam, denying the safety valve would have caused a stroke. Next time I would not be so generous.

I beg you to read the 9:59 rant and form your own opinion. I personally liked the most the confirmation of the fact that Bernardos broke the law by having people overnight at Skate Time 209. The personal attacks on me and my wife do not require my attention, but this stuff does:

Many people have asked you why our neighbor who used to be FBI is going around telling people you were involved with the commies in Romania but you never answer.

“Our neighbor who used to be FBI” is Gerry Fornino – whom I deeply respect, despite things he did that raised my eyebrows. Beyond imaginary people asking me imaginary questions, a statement was made: Gerry Fornino goes around telling people that I was involved with the commies in Romania.

I doubt that Gerry is doing that, but doesn’t hurt to make sure. Gerry Fornino, please answer this question:

Did you go around town telling people that I was involved with the commies in Romania?

If you did, shame on you for spreading lies. If you didn’t, your friends are using you.

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

UPDATE: I don’t know if he has Internet access, so a printout of this post was delivered by hand to Gerry Fornino on February 24, 2013. The countdown is on. Waiting for his answer. – JDM

Ulster County Industrial Development Agency nears decisions on tax breaks for two businesses that failed to meet job goals – a February 21, 2013 article in Freeman – reports that IDA Chairman David O’Halloran has been negotiating with Skate Time 209 in Accord and Hudson Valley Sports Dome in Milton for a voluntary reduction in the benefits they receive – for failing to live up to their job promises.

O’Halloran said he hopes to have a deal in place with the Sports Dome by the March 13 meeting of the agency’s board of directors. He was less optimistic about reaching a deal with Skate Time, which is owned by county Legislature Chairwoman Terry Bernardo and her husband, Len. “I have not made any significant progress in negotiating with them to reach a voluntary agreement,” O’Halloran said.

On their application for tax breaks, the Bernardos said they would create 20 full-time jobs, but in 2011, they reported only nine full- and part-time jobs, a 55 percent shortfall in job creation. Under the proposed policy, tax breaks given to the business would be reduced by 27.5 percent. However, because the business has created other benefits to the community, the reduction was cut in half, to 14 percent.

Len Bernardo has maintained that job creation was not a criteria for receiving the tax breaks.

The Bernardos are full of it. The Ulster County Development Corporationis the lead economic development agency for the County with a mission of creating and maintaining jobs through the attraction of new business or the retention and expansion of existing business. In order to accomplish this objective, UCDC offers and administers financial programs and loan funds, assists with site selection, and provides overall guidance and assistance with general and specific business problems, issues and opportunities.

Clearly stated, the UCDC’s mission is to create and maintain jobs through IDA. In other words, Len and Terry Bernardo get the tax break if they create the promised jobs. There is no other possible reason to get the taxpayers’ money. Imaginary benefits to the community do not count. Exploiting kids at $3.75 an hour does not count. Breaking the law and letting the Girl Scouts overnight at the rink doesn’t count either.

I know the Bernardos believe they can fool all the people all the time, but these comments on the Freeman article vouch for the contrary:

Sounds like political favoritism and possibly conflict of interest. She is a county legislator and the county legislature may have some control over the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency. So if anything to avoid and thing that looks like favoritism they should hold her to the original stipulations of whatever the agreement was.

Just another instance of the ‘citiots’ moving upstate to show the stupid woodchucks how it’s done. They probably could not have pulled this off in Nassau County.

Here’s the deal. Skate Time 209 has no business even being in a “voluntary negotiation”. The documentation for the tax deal stipulates clearly that 20-full time jobs would be created. They have not within the LEGAL time frame. Pay up. These deadbeats are the most grotesque example of local Republican “hand in pockets” criminality that is rampant in this area. If the Bernardo’s really want to play mouthpiece to the failed Conservative agenda then their MORAL and LEGAL responsibility is to honor their obligations. Frankly, it is clear the Bernardo’s used this as a “loan” for other things and promised jobs they knew would never come to fruition. Disgusting people, indeed.

Just goes to show you, you dont need to be a valid businessman with any morals to be elected.

“Len Bernardo has maintained that job creation was not a criteria for receiving the tax breaks.” What other criteria would there be for a PILOT if not job creation? Maybe political connections? Come on Mr. Bernardo the citizens of Ulster County are not stupid. You made a deal that you did not live up to and now you have to give back the money you received. Do the right thing!!!!!!!

Should O’Halloran be involved with Skatetime at all? He has hosted fundraisers for Mrs. Len Bernardo for crying out loud! When will this county address conflicts of interest that are part of the daily routine of doing business. It is sickening. The Executives office likes low hanging fruit, here is some for you! Conflicts of interest, go get ’em!

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

I dreamed about David O’Halloran throwing another birthday party for Terry Bernardo – this time with a twist. Last year the entrance fee was $46, matching Terry’s age. In my dream, at this year’s party, David O’Halloran – being IDA and whatnot – was asking the birthday girl to pay back $47 to everyone who attended. You know, overdue restitution of the six-figure tax break Skate Time 209 got at taxpayers’ expense. I can dream, can’t I?

But I could never in my wildest dreams have imagined what the resourceful Bernardos came up with for this year’s fundraising bash:

POST TRIP PARTY / PARTY HONORING TERRY BERNARDO BIRTHDAY!!!

When/ Where: Thur, Feb 28th, The Accord Firehouse, (Main St. Accord), Starts Upon Return From Albany 2A Rally (3:30-4:00)

What: Post Albany Rally Party & Honoring Terry Bernardo Birthday Party… Food, Drink, & Merriment (Yes there will be beer too.)

How Much: No Charge, But There Will Be A Donation Bucket… (All Proceeds Go To Terry’s Campaign Fund*) Contribute What You Think Its Worth, Or What You Can… Just Come!!!

If You Are Attending The Bus Rally, Just Make Your Bus Reservation To Get On The Bus At The Accord FireHouse In The Morning So When You Get Off The Bus You Are Already At The Party!

If You Are Not Attending The Bus Trip For Some Reason, Plan To Join Us At The Post Trip Rally Anyway… It Is Open To All Our Friends…

*Terry Has Been Doing A Tremendous Job Fighting For Our 2nd Amendment Rights & We Cannot Afford To Lose Her Support If She Is Displaced.

So Please Make It A Point To Help Support Her In Prepping For The Upcoming 2013 Elections.

This comment on Freeman is short and sweet:

So let me get this straight. Bernardo is spearheading a resolution then holding a fundraiser with a guest list of the people who want the resolution passed? Is that ethical or even legal?

Hoping that the people of Rochester can tell a scam when they see one, I leave you with these words from the Liberty Coalition blog:

…it seems the Accord Fire Department, where Len Bernardo is one of the Commissioners, is hosting a post-gun lobby event that is combined with a birthday party and fundraiser for Terry Bernardo. Last I knew, firehouses are bought and paid for by the taxpayers and as such should NOT be utilized for political purposes. I know most local firehouses absolutely forbid it so what’s going on out in Accord?

PS – Does anybody know how many beers buy a vote for Terry Bernardo around the Accord Firehouse?

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

Shawangunk Journal – Serving Others Is Where The Spotlight Should Be (01/31/13)
Times Herald-Record – Service makes a difference (02/02/13)
Daily Freeman – Serving the people (02/05/13)

Under slightly different headlines, Manuela Michailescu’s Letter to the Editor was published in the local newspapers:

Dear Editor:

The beginning of each political year brings us inaugurations, speeches, organizational meetings and appeals to potential volunteers. The spotlight is – or it should be – on serving the people.

I remember Assemblyman Steve Katz, R-Yorktown, saying that being an elected official “should work more like jury duty, where people do their civic duty, serve a term and then go back to real life.” This would solve the term limits issue and bring new blood in many political areas. People who served could then apply their acquired political experience in real life, while real life would inform the politicians’ actions. A continuous exchange between the realm of politics and real life would not hurt, and the widespread disconnect between the two would hopefully fade out.

Serving others – not only themselves, family and friends – more people would discover the true satisfaction of helping those not able to do anything in return beyond a smile and a “thank you.”

During almost six years of being either a candidate or an elected official, I was very often asked, “What are you going to do for me?” To answer was easy: “I am going to honestly serve you, not my personal interests. I am going to listen and pay attention to what you really need.”

I am more effective in making people aware of Rochester’s Recreation / Youth Department events as member of the Youth Commission than when I served as Town Board liaison to the same commission. The opportunities to serve are limitless and not at all related to a certain position. It’s not the title that matters, it’s the person and the intention that make the difference.

The Youth Commission needs volunteers. Reading the quarterly newsletters, you’re going to find out about opportunities to help, from being a volunteer member to sponsoring a program or an event, participating with ideas, donations, and more. Please call 845-626-2115 for more information.

I can’t wait for our town’s summer program to start, to join the kids on their field trips and create a photographic chronicle of their activities. Serving – even in small ways – brings rich meaning to our lives, to those we help and are positively affected. It’s challenging, inspiring and rewarding.

To quote Albert Schweitzer: “The ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

Manuela Michailescu
Kerhonkson
manuela@oldbrickhouse.com

Now, I suppose there are many possible reactions to the above letter, but only Steven Fornal could post this comment on Freeman:

Intellectualist
Imposing fascist conservative bigotry serves no one but yourself. Where do you claim your residence now? Vermont to scam on car insurance? You’re a phony selfserving scammer.

Obviously, the demented one is stuck on something.

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

As you can tell from previous posts on this blog, I don’t like the SAFE Act, I don’t like the way it was passed in the middle of the night, I don’t like the attack on the Second Amendment, and I don’t like the politicians trying to further their agenda on gun supporters’ back.

I will let you be the judge on this quote from the February 5 Freeman article
Ulster County Legislature committee endorses opposition to state gun law:

“I’ll put it in a woman’s terms,” she said. “You wouldn’t want to pass a law that makes it illegal just for cosmetic reasons. I can look one way when I come to work and I throw on a suit and some makeup and fix my hair and I look another way when I wake up in the morning but you wouldn’t want to pass a law saying that just because I looked that way in the morning that was problematic.”

The quote is from Terry Bernardo, and the people could do without her nonsense.

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco